Flexible hose



E. S. CULVER FLEXIBLE HOSE Oct. 20, 1931.

Filed June 18, 1928 A Fzlg. e3

mvENToR Edwin 45E "al ver BY lp'fv,

TTO EY Patented ct. 20, 1931.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWIN S. GULVEB, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,ABBIGNOE, BY HESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO OLIVER UNITED FILTERS INCORPORATED,OI' BAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA,

A OOBPORATION OF NEVADA FLEXIBLE HOSE .Application v111er! June 18,

The present invention relates to a exible reinforced pipe or hosestructure through which material may be drawn by suction or forced underpressure.

The rincipal object is to provide a pipe or hose o flexible constructionwith a reinforcement, one snugly embracing the other, and thereinforcement precluding the collapsing of the hose structure should thesame be subjected to undue suction, and also precluding the outwarddistortion of the hose structure should the same be subjected to unduepressure, the reinforcement at all times being adapted to flex at pointsthroughout its length enabling the pipe to be deflected into variouspositions as its use may'necessitate.

Another object is to provide a lexible reinforced pi e having attachingdevices at its ends capa le of adjustment to enable the pipe to beelongated or shortened without interfering with the flexibility of thereinforcement.

A further object is to provide a reinforcement consisting ofsubstantially duplicate distortionless rmgs arranged in edge bearingrelation with the rings provided at opposite edges with pairsof bearmgprojections; and to provide end coupling nipples for the reinforcementwhich have cam edge bearing contact with the edges of the terminal ringsof the reinforcement coupling during axial rotation to vary the over allength of the reinforcement.

Another object is to provide a reinforcement which shall prevent axialcontraction or elongation due to the vacuum or pressure in the pipe.

With the above mentioned and other objects in view, the inventionconsists in the novel construction and combination of parts lhereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and setforth in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that variouschanges in the form, proportion, size and minor details of constructionwithin the scope of the claims may be resorted to without departing fromthe spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

To more fully comprehend the invention,

man. seran n. 286,354'. p

drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view of the preferred embodiment of m section wit the partsin assembled relation. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view on line 2-2of Fig. 1, illustrating more particularly the sockets at one edge of aring.

Figure 3 isan exploded perspective view of two of the rings (2) and oneof the end ni ples (6) associated therewith.

ferring more particularl to the drawingswherein like characters oreference designate corresponding arts in all views, 1 indicates aflexible hose ody, the embodiment illustrated being of the conventionalcanvas and rubber structure. 2'indicates a reinforcing ring preferablyof rigid structure, such as metal or the like. One edge of the ring isprovided with lugs 3, the outer faces of which-are socketed at 4. Theother edge of 'the ring is provided with rejections 5, the

same to engage with soc ets on adjacent seated within the sockets 4 ofthe adjacentv edge of the next succeeding ring, interlocking the'ringsfrom lateral or rotary displacement and providing a fulcrum between theinvention in transverse vertical A ring edges. also affording a space 8between i ad'acent edges at either side of the fulcrum pomts. Thefulcrum points between successive rings may be disposedY angularly toeach other, as in the drawings, or in arallel alignment, which isobvious, enabling relative maximum flexibility of the reinforcementthroughout its length. After the desired number of rings have beenpositioned, as-

above described, to afford a reinforcement for the hose 1, forapproximatelyT its entire length, a tu ular rigid attaching nipple 6 isinserted into each end of the hose with the steps 9 of their respectivecam edges 7 cluding a pluralit lying at one side of the lugs 3 orrejections 5 of their associated end rings. 1th a hose band 10 ofconventional type around each end of the hose, the approximate over alllength of the reinforcement corresponds substantially to the distancebetween the elements to be connected thereby. With the hose lyingbetween the pipes to be connected, the operator axially rotates thenipple 6 to extend the structure to make the coupling desired, thisadjustment ensuring cooperating bearing contact between the fulcrumpoints of adjacent rings. This adjustment makes the assembled hosesubstantia ly rigid in axial direction and prevents axial contractionwhen vacuum is applied. The desired adjustment having been made, thehose bands 10 are tightened and the operation is complete. The hose maybe utilized with one end free, in which case the nipple at the free endis clamped in the hose with each section in bearing Contact..

Rings may be of various materials or may be of hard material coveredwith other ma terial, as, for instance, rubber suitable to resist actionof corrosive and/or abrasive agents. T he covering may be of material ofsuitable consistency and arrangement to substantially close the spacesbetween the rings and provide a substantially smooth bore.

It will be apparent that the reinforce- 'ment is of the unit sectiontype, the units being duplicates7 and are capable of being cheaplyconstructed, also that the units will at all times be held in bearingcontact relation when the hose is mounted in position, and 'that thehose is capable of deflection on an axis transverse to axis of hose, andis capable of withstanding high vacuum or high pressure as the case maybe, depending on the relative positioningof the hose and reinforcement.

I claim 1. A hose comprising a tubular iexible hose body and a tubularreinforcement extending longitudinally thereof, one snugly embracing theother, said reinforcement inof relatively indistortable rings detacha lyassembled to fulcrurn on adjacent edges of succeeding rings on axes atright angles to the axis of the hose, and a tubular attaching nipple ateach end of the reinforcement, each nipple having bearing contact withits associated ring and adjustable longitudinally of the hose on theimpartling of axial rotation thereto relative to the associated rings.

2. A hose comprising a tubular iexible hose bodY and a tubularreinforcement extending ongitudinally thereof, one snugly embracing theother, said reinforcement including a pluralit `of relativelyindistortable rings detacha ly assembled to fulcrum on adjacent edges ofsucceeding rings on axes at right angles to the axis of the hose, and athe hose on t e imparting of axial rotation 7 thereto relative to itsassociated ring.

In testimony whereof I have signed my naine to this specification.

EDWIN S. CULVER.

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